James Lee Byars was fascinated by the circular form, the sphere, throughout his career. Even in his graduation exhibition at Wayne State University in Detroit in 1955, he presented stone spheres as small heavenly objects, hinting early on at how he would use these shapes to explore ideas of infinity and perfection. This concept evolved throughout his work, blending conceptual art, performance and sculpture.

The piece Is Is (1988) consists of two large basalt spheres, almost touching. From a distance, they might look like twins – similar, yet subtly different. On closer inspection, you might notice tiny variations in their surfaces. The shapes evoke bodily associations, perhaps eyes or breasts. The spheres are placed in a room painted in deep red colour, associated with life itself by Byars – perhaps because it reminded him of blood, or even lipstick.

Byars was less concerned with giving viewers clear answers about what his work meant. Instead, he wanted them to experience the art, to feel it and think about it. For him, art was never about finding a finished solution, but about making space for reflection and questions – questions that might never have a definitive answer.